West Orange Students Will Start School Remotely Amid Coronavirus

WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange’s public schools will start the year with virtual classes before eventually transitioning to a “hybrid” model amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The West Orange Board of Education approved a plan to reopen schools for the year during their meeting on Monday. Learn more here.

The plan will include two phases. The first phase will begin on Sept. 14; students will stay at home and learn remotely.

The district will reevaluate the situation and potentially switch to the hybrid model on Nov. 9, which will include a mix of in-person and remote learning. Parents who want to keep their children home can opt out and stay with the all-virtual model.

On Aug. 12, Gov. Phil Murphy gave local districts permission to open remotely if they can't meet COVID-19 safety requirements.

West Orange High School currently serves about 2,175 students. At 25 percent capacity, 544 students would be indoors, not including 192 teachers and an additional 143 members of the support staff.

Watch a video of Monday’s meeting below.

Earlier this month, school administrators held a virtual town hall to discuss the district's coronavirus reopening plan, which can be seen here.

Superintendent Scott Cascone released an update about the reopening plan on Aug. 14, which can be seen here.

• See related article: West Orange Schools Hold Town Hall On Reopening (WATCH)
• See related article: West Orange Schools Nearing 'Critical Pivot Point' For Reopening

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